Budgam, Jan 14: Jammu & Kashmir Police in a significant operation on Sunday seized a substantial quantity of illicit timber valued at lakhs of rupees in central Kashmir's Budgam district.

According to a police official, information from reliable sources alerted the Police Station Budgam about the illegal stockpiling of timber at the residence of Reyaz Ahmad Itoo, son of Abdul Karim Itoo and a resident of Atipora Sholipora in Budgam.

"A police team promptly conducted a raid on the premises, uncovering 88 swans of illicit timber measuring 26.93 cubic feet. Despite our efforts, the accused managed to escape, and a pursuit is underway to apprehend him," the official said. 

He said a case has been registered at Police Station Budgam under FIR No 15/2024, under relevant sections of the law. Further investigations have been initiated to delve into the circumstances surrounding the illicit timber acquisition and distribution, the official added.